4,000 volunteers are needed for the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner is looking for volunteers.

Chairman Patricia Jimenez says her father was a San Antonio businessman when he started the dinner 40 years ago.

“He didn’t want anyone to be alone on Thanksgiving Day, and what more appropriate time than Thanksgiving to give back to the community,” she said.

Volunteers kick into high gear beginning the Sunday before Thanksgiving when the chef team from the RK Group and more than 4,000 individuals work all hours of the day and night preparing the turkey, dressing, yams, cranberry sauce, green beans, rolls and pumpkin pies.  They serve more than 9,000 pounds of turkey; 6,250 pounds of stuffing; 6,250 pounds of green beans; 4,688 pounds of yams; 650 pounds of gravy; and 3,000 pumpkin pies.

“The fact that we’re celebrating 40 years is a testament to the wonderful people in our community and we’re so grateful,” said Jimenez. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without all of the support.”

She took over as chairman of the dinner when her father passed away in 1998. This year’s dinner will be dedicated to the co-founder of the event, Mary Jimenez. She died this past summer at the age of 87.

“There will be a void at this year’s dinner,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “We will take that same incredible spirit of love and compassion and will continue to serve in her honor.”

The 40th Annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner is set for November 28 at the convention center. You can sign up to volunteer at the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner website.

Alpha Media, which includes KTSA Radio, raised more than $95,000 during a radiothon October 18.  That included a $25,000 donation from Walmart, and the check was presented during a news conference Friday. If you missed your chance to donate during the radiothon, it’s not too late.  You can make a contribution here.